Pipeline Firm Threatens to Use Eminent Domain
Posted/updated on: April 16, 2011 at 4:56 pm
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Canadian company that wants to build an oil pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico is again threatening landowners with court action if they don’t sell TransCanada the rights it needs to build the Keystone XL pipeline. The proposed pipeline route goes through eastern Smith County.
TransCanada was criticized last summer for mentioning eminent domain in letters to landowners. Company spokesman Terry Cunha says TransCanada has agreements with more than 80% of landowners along the six-state route and wants to be ready if the project is approved.
National Wildlife Federation spokesman Tony Iallonardo says TransCanada shouldn’t bully landowners before it secures U.S. State Department approval. The project is designed to carry oil from Canada across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. TransCanada has also proposed connecting to the Bakken oil field in Montana and North Dakota.
